On November 29th, 2023, the Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Forest County Potawatomi hosted their 20th Anniversary Celebration for the purchase of the Crandon Mine.
This gathering was held in remembrance of the decades long battle against a proposed mine just over a mile upstream of the Mole Lake reservation in Forest County. That battle concluded in 2003 with the purchase of the mining company, the mine site, and the mineral rights by the Mole Lake Band and Forest County Potawatomi Community. The day of celebration was filled with many talks and presentations by those who played pivotal roles in halting the Crandon Mine project. Chairman Van Zile described the history of the 28-year battle, and Frances Van Zile remembered offering tobacco as well as the many meetings and gatherings she attended with Fred Ackley, Jr. to represent the Sokaogon People. GLIFWC’s Environmental Section Leader John Coleman and the former Sokaogon Tribal Hydrogeologist Roman Ferdinand spoke about pouring over mountains of technical data, and Al Gedicks reminded everyone that no mining company can operate if the community rises in opposition. Many more people spoke about their involvement in shutting the mining proposal down those 20 years ago, and the sentiment hanging in the air was one of joy, thankfulness, and remembrance for this important victory for the tribes. —B. Paulsen